PART IV: Cognition and Personal Development

Have you ever come across the missive “change the narrative” or even “flip the narrative,” and wondered “what?” and “how“?  If that’s the case this Part can help answer those questions! Our habits of thinking, sometimes called “schemas,” once established operate as mental shortcuts which is usually a good thing, but not always. Psychological schemas take the form of narratives, and while cognitive at their core, schemas are socially constructed. Indeed, we don’t have to try and make schemas – they happen as we get into daily ruts. But once we know how they work, we can indeed take control over the shape of our personal narratives. In Chapter 8 student authors discuss how important this fact is for parents, but addressing how parental interaction styles can shape children’s self concept and influence their gender identity. In Chapter 9, the emphasis shifts, to highlight how a negative schema can be turned around and when that’s done, positive health behaviors should follow.